The Assassins Kill

Chapter 35- 3, 2, 1.

*Jades POV*

"Where the fuck are they?" I mumble to myself, dashing between the crowds of people in search of the real police or someone of actual authority. I might not be able to take on 50 police and security members, but I might be able to delay this and get Julian into safety so I really can stop this.

After searching through the entire audience in times square like a deck of cards, I sit on the curb and rub my face, taking a moment to think.

"It's a fucking dead-end." I whisper, feeling defeated. 

"You in the orange sweater! How are you feeling tonight!" I look over at the deep voice and spot one of those celebrity guys interviewing what looks to be a teenager with her friends. He holds the mic up to the kids face and she gushes with her friends about the magic of new years or some corny shit like that.

I stand up, brushing my pants off and zipping up my coat, crossing my arms and trying to decide what my next move is when I hear celebrity-guy chuckle and say the 4 words I've been dreading.

"Hey! Isn't that- isn't that Jade Robinson?" I groan, plastering a small smile on my face as I turn towards the crowd. Celebrity-guy grins and motions for me to come over.

I hesitantly shuffle my feet in his direction, preparing an escape-plan from this living nightmare. "Jade! I think I can speak for everyone when I say," he looks around and chuckles, the teens from a minute ago slyly taking a video of me, "we weren't expecting to see you out here, in the crowd. Why aren't you with Julian?" He inquires. I gulp, thinking of a lie.

"Well, I just wanted to experience the magic myself. You know how it is, it's different being in the audience than up there yourself." I smile and he nods, satisfied with my response.

"Yeah! You know, I gotta say, Julian is one lucky fellow. You seem very down-to-earth for an A-listers girlfriend." 

"Well, I've only lived in New York for a year, so this is actually my first time being down here during the holidays."

"Ah, I see. You visit your family during the holidays, right?" I gulp.

"Yeah, first year being away from them." He nods.

"Beside for thanksgiving, right? Julian joined you then?" I slowly nod. "Now, you two must now you're the internets biggest it couple, am I wrong?" I chuckle, having absolutely no idea what he's talking about.

"I didn't even realize." I nervously chuckle as the camera zooms in one me. "Well, I should probably go check on Julian, then. What time is it?"

"It's..." one of the teens check their phone, "11:50." My mouth drops and I mutter a goodbye and disappear back into the swarm of people.

I hide behind the bathrooms and think of the only thing I can do, call Ivy.

"Come on, come on, come on! Pick up, V." I pace back and forth while hearing the automated ringing.

It suddenly stops and I let out a breath of relief, "Ivy, I don't have time to talk. I need your help, go to Times-"

"Bonjour! I'm busy at the moment, I'll try to call you back later! Adieu!" I gently hit my head repeatedly on the brick wall and groan, knowing who I need to call next.

"Pierre! You picked up!" I exclaim into my phone, which, by the way, is at 3%.

"Jade, look, I know you know the plan."

"Just, please don't. He's innocent!"

"Listen, I don't know when your stone heart turned soft, but you know how this shit works. We get the tip, get the estimate, kill the guy, get the money."

"Yeah, I know-"

"Then you would understand that killing Julian Barley will give the organization 2.5 Billion dollars." My mouth drops.

"2.5....billion- there's no way."

"I don't know why it's that expensive, but, hey, I'll take it. You backed out so I'll have the next best do it."

"What?"

"If you mess this up, Jade, your done. I've already lost trust in you. But if you try to stop this hit, you're out." I pause for a minute, debating.

"Well, I guess I'm out, then. I quit." I hang up the phone, checking the time again.

"Shit, 11:55. Come on, Jade. You got this. Big girl pants." I crack my neck and jog back towards the gates. I glance around, not seeing any security near by. I pull my leg up and over the metal, placing my hands on it so I can jump over when something bright catches my eye.

I look up and see a figure at the top of a nearby building, loading up a sniper. I freeze, squinting my eyes.

"Fucking Elijah." I mutter. I jump over the gate, seeing Julians band begin to set up and get ready. The crowd begins putting their 2025 glasses on and kazoos and hats and every New Years merch you can think of.

My heart rate picks up as I see Elijah point the gun directly on the stage. I stare at him until he finally looks at me and from the distance I see him shake his head, rub his face, and look back at the stage, fixing his aim again.

"Alright folks! It's that time of the night! Lets begin the countdown!"

"Shit, shit, shit!" My breath grows shorter, burning my lungs and filling them with the cold air. I shake my hands out, feeling tears threatening to come. 

The New Years eve ball begins to move slightly faster and I look at the crowd as they begin shouting.

"15, 14, 13....." I gulp, looking over at the stage as Julian walks out and some cheers start over the crowd. He's grinning, waving towards everyone before joining in on the countdown also.

I stand their, defeated. There's nothing I can do to stop this.

"8, 7, 6, 5....." I look up at the building, seeing Elijah sit completely still as he begins to pull the trigger. I look at Julian, who's standing at the front of the stage, adjusting his microphone and laughing.

"3, 2, 1!!!" It's as if the world goes silent, all I hear is the quiet noise of the bullet being freed from the gun. I run up the steps to the stage, everyone looking at me.

"JULIAN!!" I shout, looking up and jumping in front of him.

"Jade, what the hell are you-" I feel the impact hit me before the pain, and I land on the ground with a thud. The crowd goes silent besides the gasps and screams, and I see Julian jump down and crouch down next to me.

"Jadey, what did you do?"